Large-scale genomic analysis reveals the distribution and diversity of type VI secretion systems in <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

ABSTRACT: The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a versatile nanomachine that injects effectors into target cells, playing a role in bacterial competition and virulence. While widespread in Gram-negative bacteria, T6SS prevalence varies across species and strains, and its distribution in Escherichia coli remains underexplored despite it being an important intestinal (IPEC) and extraintestinal (ExPEC) pathogen. Here, we examined the prevalence of T6SS subclasses (T6SSⁱ) across 131,610 E. coli genomes, which we annotated for clinical relevance. T6SS genes were identified while focusing on the three subclasses present in E. coli: T6SSⁱ¹, T6SSⁱ², and T6SS^i4b. Across phylogenetic groups, T6SSⁱ¹ was broadly present, while T6SS

SUBMITTER: Nesporova K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12282107 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature